GEORGE TOWN: The mastermind of a drug syndicate with international links was one of two suspects arrested in a sting operation.
During the three-day raids, police also seized drugs worth RM25.87mil at the Nibong Tebal industrial park.
State police chief Comm Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan said the mastermind, 37, was detained on Dec 21 in Nibong Tebal town.
“Police questioned him when he stopped his car by the road. Upon inspection, we found 100 packets of drugs, believed to be syabu worth RM4.68mil, ” he told a press conference yesterday.Comm Sahabudin said following the interrogation, police raided a nearby shop used to store drugs.
“Drugs believed to be syabu, Ecstasy, heroin and ketamine worth RM21.19mil were seized.
“We picked up a second suspect, aged 43, in Nibong Tebal, ” he said, adding that police also seized a car, cash and jewellery amounting to RM243,231.82.
Large haul: Comm Sahabudin (centre) and his team showing some of the drugs seized at the Penang police headquarters.
Comm Sahabudin said investigations showed that the syndicate had been operating since the middle of the year and that its supply came from neighbouring countries.
“The drugs are believed to be for local distribution, especially in the Klang Valley, ” he added.
“A urine test on the main suspect came back positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and benzo.”Comm Sahabudin said background checks also showed that the suspect had three counts in his record for drug-related offences.
He said the second suspect tested negative for drugs and had no previous criminal record.
Both suspects have been remanded for a week to help investigations.
It is learnt that police have identified two more suspects and are tracking their whereabouts.
